Thomas Chalfant, Revolutionary War Pension Application, R 1829
"Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C.
Revolutionary Records.
State of Kentucky, Gallatin County.
On the 10th day of September 1832, personally appeared in open Court,
before the Justices of the Gallatin County Court, (a Court of Record)
now sitting, Thomas Chalfant, a resident of Gallatin County and State of
Kentucky, aged seventy-four years last March, who being dully sworn
according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in
order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June the 7,
1832. That he entered the Service of the United States (as he supposes
and the facts will show) under the following named officers and served
as herein stated. That he entered the Services of the United States in
the month of June in the year 1778. He does not recall the day of the
month. That he entered as a Volunteer and served under Col. David
Rogers (or Rogen) and Lieu. Isaac Collier. Robert Benham was
Quartermaster. That he lived in the State of Pennsylvania and Fayette
County when he enter the Service, and that he joined the troops at
Brownsville in said County of Fayette. He states that he did not agree
to serve for any stated period, but was to have been paid by the month.
That he went with the officers and Troops from Brownsville to Pitsburg,
where some solicers were residing in a Fort. That the above named
Officers and about 38 men left Pitsburg in two boats, for the purpose of
going to New Orleans for clothing for the United States Army. That they
proceeded down the river to a French village called Arkansas, about 300
miles above Natchez, at which place Rogers left the boats with a couple
of men, and went to Orleans in a small Craft.
At that time the British
had possession of Natchez and the boats were afraid to pass and the Col.
with the two men passed in the night, and after reaching Orleans the
Col. understood that the clothing had been sent on to Pancose (now St.
Louis) and they travelled back to the boats by land after which the
boats went back to St. Louis. That he thinks it was about the first of
August in 1779 when they arrived at St. Lewis. That at St. Lewis they
loaded their Boats with clothing for the Army. He understood that the
clothing was furnished by the Spanish. From St. Lewis they came to
Clarke Fort, now Lewisville in Kentucky. From Lewisville we went up the
river to a place four or five miles from where they city of Cincinnati
now stands.
Between the mouth of Licking and little Miami where a party
of Indians attacked the Boats. There were a great many Indians and soon
defeated us and killed all the Officers except Benham. The Indians took
one Boat, the other got off with four men, and 13 of the men made their
escape by land, of whom he was one. The attack on us by the Indians was
in October 1779. That he killed one Indian in the fight. He does not
know how many of the Indians were killed. The country was then an
entire wilderness. From the place after the defeat he made his escape
through the wilderness to Louisville then Clarke Fort. He states that
at the time of the defeat there was another Boat in company, sent up by
Clark with British Prisoners in it. Part of the men in Clark's boat
were killed and the others made their escape, that it was days after the
defeat that he reached Clark Fort. That when he reached the Fort he was
nearly naked and killed deer and made himself clothing out of their
skins. That he remained at the Fort for several days, during which time
the remainder of the men who had made their escape came to the Fort. He
thinks in all 17, all the rest having been killed.
That he afterwards
went to some Sale Licks on Salt River and worked at the Lick with somepeople who belonged to the Fort near the Licks and got some money for
his labor with which he paid his way home. That in going home he went
through the edge of N. Carolina then there being no other way to gett
home unless he had gone again through the wilderness by Pitsburg. That
there was a trace through the wilderness the way he went home. That he
got home some time in the month of June 1779 having been gone two years.
He states that when he Volunteered that he was to have been paid by the
Government as he supposes, as there was no agreement that any person was
to have paid him.
He states that Col. Rogers told him that he would
have to remain in the service until the trip to Orleans now in the
Louisiana could be made and that it was for that Service that he
volunteered, and taht the clothing was for the use of the Army of the
United States, and particularly for the troops stationed at Pitsburg.
He states that he does not think that any of the Boats Crew are now
living, that he has not heard of any of them for a great many years. He
further states that he does not know of any person by whom he can prove
his Service and that he has no documentary evidence thereof. That he
has no discharge, never had one, as his Officers were all killed. That
he never received one cent for his Service. He states that before he
entered the Service under Col. Rogers that he served a tour of one month
in the Pennsylvania Militia. That a Sergeant John Hostern and twelve
men of whom he was one was sent as guard to some prisoners at Red Stone
Old Fort in Fayette Co., PA.
I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except
the present, and declare that my name is not on the Pension Roll of the
agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed this day and year aforesaid, Gallatin Court.
September term 1832.
Thomas ("X") Chalfant
The foregoing declaration was sworn to in open court, Rich'd. Butter,
Clk. We, George Strother, a clergyman residing in the County of
Gallatin, and Nathan Hall residing in the same place, hereby certify
that we are well acquainted with Thomas Chalfant, who has subscribed and
sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 74 years of
age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he
resides, to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in
that opinion.
George Strother
Nathan Hall
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Department of the Interior. Revolutionary Records
Thomas Chalfant and Mary Gray Chalfant
Thomas Chalfant and Mary Gray married May 20, 1790, by William Taylor in
Nelson County, Kentucky. I, J. Darwin Elliott, Clerk of the County
Court in and for the County of aforesaid, Certify that the above writing
purporting to give the date of the marriage of Thomas Chalfant and Mary
Gray, is a true copy from the Marriage Register in said County Clerks
Office. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the
seal of Court at Bardstown, Ky. the 7th day of June A.D. 1853.
J. Darwin Elliott, Clerk
Another record made by the same clerk on August 1, 1856.
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Port Williams, Kentucky, 11 June 1832
If a Pension is obtained upon the enclosed paper, the Secretary of War
will make the money payable at the United States Bank in Louisville, Ky.
If consistent with the arrangements of the department.
You will please direct any communication upon the subject to me, at the
Post Office at Bedord, Oldham County, Ky. as I live in the edge of
Gallatin County near the Post Office at Bedford.
Respectfully,
Thomas ("X") Chalfant
The Sec. of War
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State of Kentucy, Trimble Co. (Chalfant)
On the 17th day of June 1856, personally appeared before me Evan M.
Garrett, Judge of the County Court within and for the County and State
aforesaid, Mary Chalfant, 85 years. A resident of the County of Trimble
in the State of Kentucky, who being duly sworn according to law makes
the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the Acts of
Congress passed in July 1838, and June 17, 1844. She states that her
maiden name was Mary Gray, that she was married to Thomas Chalfant on
the 20th day of May, 1790 in Nelson County, Ky. by one William Taylor, a
Baptist Preacher. She states that her said husband served as a soldier
in the War of the Revolution, as he often told her for the term of two
years. That he entered the Service in the State of Pennsylvania at Fort
Pitt now Pittsburg, at the rate of seven dollars a month, that he was a
private under Col. Rogers in the Company commanded by Capt. Benham.
I also certify that Mary Chalfant is known to me, that is very old and
infirm, that she was not able to appear at the Court House to make the
above declaration, that I went to her house and took said declaration,
and that she was duly sworn by me and signed her name to the foregoing
declaration, and that she is a lady of truth, on the day and year above
written.
Evan M. Garrett
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State of Kentucky
Trimble County
On the 18 day of June one Thousand Eight hundred and fifty six
Personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace with in and for the
County and State aforesaid Col. William White aged 67 years a resident
of the County of Carrol in the State of Kentucky being of good sound
mind and deposing memory being first duly sworn according to law. Says
that in the year 1803 he became acquainted with Thomas Chalfant and was
intimate and often with him from that time up to his death. That he has
frequently heard Thomas Chalfant tell of his Service and hardships in
the War of the Revolution. Thomas Chalfant stated to him that in the
Fall of the year 1778 Col. Rogers was ordered with Capt. Benham and
about 40 men by the Commander in Chief to go to New Orleans with keel
boats to get supplies such as powder clothing & for the army. That they
went to New Orleans with said Boats and when they got to New Orleans the
Commissary had sent them up the River. They then returned got the
supplies. they then ascended the River for Fort Pitt now Pittsburgh
where they started from and when they got up to Big Bar, near the mouth
of the Little Miami River they was attacked by a large Body of Indians
and all the company was killed but 13 men. Col. Rogers was killed &
Capt. Benham was badly wounded. That Thomas Chalfant & one or two
toehrs made thru the best they could to the Falls of the Ohio where a
fort was just Built nearly naked after they got to the fort Captain
Benham was brought there badly wounded by being shot through the hips.
That Thomas Chalfant helped Benham out of the boat and took him in the
fort. That he remained at the fort until the next Spring and then made
his way home in Pennsylvania. This was in the year 1780. He further
states that he has often heard Thos. Chalfant tell the same tale to
others and always told it the same way and that his statements was fully
believed by all who heard him. He further states that Thomas Chalfant
was of the stricted truth he always on all occasions told the truth and
that he often thought that he was incapable of tellling a falsehood that
he was strict and prompt in the payment of his debts the fulfilment of
all his contracts and an exemplary Christian. That Mary Chalfant his
widow is a Lady of unimpeachable character. A Lady of strict truth
believed by all who know her in every word and a devoted Christian.
Will White
Sworn to and subscribed before me by William White this day and year
above written and I certify that William White is known to me that he is
a resident of Carrol County in that State of Kentucky that he is a very
cridible person.
P. Townsend, JPTC
--------------------
State of Kentucky
Trimble County
On the 19th day of June one thousand Eight hundred and fifty six
Personally appeared before a Justice of the Peace within and for the
County and State aforesaid Col. Daniel B. Johnson a Representative of
Trimble County to the State Legislature for 7 years being of good sound
mind a deposing memory after being duly sworn according to law makes the
following statements. He states that he has been a near neighbor of
Thomas Chalfant ever since he was born. That he is now 48 years old
that he has heard Thomas Chalfant tell often times his trials and
difficulties in the War of the Revolution. He has often told him and
others in his presence that he was a soldier in the War of the
Revolution under Capt. Benham and that Benham was under Col. Rogers.
That in the Fall of 1778 Col. Rogers & Captain Benham was ordered with
40 men and keel boats to go to New Orleans to get powder and clothes and
other supplies for the Army. That they was ordered by the Commander in
Chief. They started from Fort Pitt now Pittsburgh about the first of
October 1778 they went to New Orleans. When they got to New Orleans the
Commissiary informed them that the supplies had been sent to St. Louis.
They left for St. Louis. They arrived there got the supplies and
started for Fort Pitt whilst asailing the Ohio River near the mouth of
the Little Miami River at the Big Bar, they saw a number of Indians on
the Sand Bar. They Landed their Boats a fight ensued and all the men
under Col. Rogers & Capt. Benham were killed but thirteen that Col.
Rogers was killed, Capt. Benham was wounded this was in the Fall of
1779. That Thomas Chalfant and some two or three others got together
and made their way as best they could meandering Licking River to Riddle
Station nearly naked staid there a short time then went to the falls
where a fort had been built whilst Col. Rogers was a New Orleans & St.
Louis after he arrived at the fort Captain Benham was brought down on a
boat badly wounded through the hips. That Thomas Chalfant helped Capt.
Benham out of the boat up to the fort. That Thomas Chalfant staid at
the fort until the Spring of 1780 then made his way home having served
two years. He further states that Thomas Chalfant was a man that every
person believed always and all occasion told the truth. That he has
heard many persons say that Thomas Chalfant was incapable of telling a
falsehood. That Thomas Chalfant died in the Spring of 1833. That his
widow Mary Chalfant is still living and has never married since his
death. That all his conversations and all statements that he makes and
all occurrances is believed by every person who hears them. That she is
a Lady of unimpeachable character and tells the truth in all she says
and that she is a devoted Christian.
Daniel B. Johnson
--------------------------
Pension Office
August 29th 1857
Sir,
I have received and examined the papers filed by you on behalf of Mary
Chalfant an applicant for a pension under the Act of 7 July 1838 as the
widow of Thomas who was also an applicant for a pension under the Act of
7 June 1832.
The Claim of Thomas Chalfant was rejected in May 1833 for the reason
that the Service he alleges he performed was not such as provided for by
the pension laws.
The claim of Mary Chalfant is reciprocally rejected.
M. Thompson, Esq.
Present.
This indenture made and entered into this 30th day of November one
thousand eight hundred and forty eight between NATHAN CHALFANT and
DRUCILLA C. CHALFANT his wife of the County of Amite County and State of
Mississippi of the first part and CONNY HUMPHREY widow of CHARLES S.
HUMPHREY deceased of the County of Trimble and State of Kentucky of the
second part. Witness that the said NATHAN CHALFANT and DRUCILLA C.
CHALFANT his wife parties of the first part for and in consideration of
the natural love and affection of the said NATHAN CHALFANT for his
sister the said CONNY HUMPHREY and for the further consideration of one
Dollar to him hand paid by the said CONNY HUMPHREY the receipt of which
is hereby acknowledged have this day bargained sold and by these
presents bargain, sell, alien, release effect convey and confirm unto
the said CONNY HUMPHREY and her heirs and assigns forever all the
undivided interest of him the said NATHAN CHALFANT and DRUCILLA C. his
wife of in and to the tract of land in the County of Trimble containing
about three hundred acres more of less and the same owned by THOMAS
CHALFANT at the time of his death and which descended to his children
the said NATHAN CHALFANT being one of the children of the said THOMAS
CHALFANT and also all the undivided interest descended to him the said
NATHAN in and to the said tract of land as one of the heirs at law of
his deceased brother ABNER CHALFANT. To have and to hold the entire
interest of him the said NATHAN CHALFANT & wife of in and to the said
tract of land to her the said CONNY HUMPHREY and her heirs forever. And
the said NATHAN CHALFANT doth covenant for himself and his heirs with
said CONNY HUMPHREY and her heirs to warrant and defend the undivided
interest hereby conveyed in the said tract of land from Claims of all
persons whatever.
In Testimony whereof the said NATHAN CHALFANT and DRUCILLA C.
CHALFANT his wife have signed sealed and delivered in the presence of
NATHAN CHALFANT (seal)
D. C. CHALFANT (seal)
State of Mississippi
Amite County
I, STANHOPE POSEY presiding Judge of the First Judicial District of
the state aforesaid presiding Judge of the Circuit Court in and for the
County of Amite and State of Mississippi do hereby Certify that NATHAN
CHALFANT and DRUCILLA C. CHALFANT his wife have made & signed the
foregoing deed appeared before me in proper persons and severally
acknowledged the same to their ----- deed and I further Certify that I
examined the said DRUCILLA wife of the said NATHAN CHALFANT firmly,
separate and apart from her said husband and explained to her the value
and object of the said deed and she declared that she of her own free
will signed sealed & acknowledged said deed and consents that the same
may be recorded. Given under my hand as Judge aforesaid court this 26th
day of May 1849..
STANHOPE POSEY (seal)
Judge Circuit Court First
Judicial District
Mississippi
State of Mississippi
Amite County
I ROBERT L. TORRANCE Clerk of Circuit Court for Amite County & State
of Mississippi do hereby Certify that STANHOPE POSEY who hath made and
signed the foregoing Certificate is and was at the date thereof an
acting Judge of the said Court and that full faith and credit is due his
official acts.
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand & affixed the seal of
said Court this 28th day of May 1849..
R. L. TORRANCE, Clk.
Commonwealth of Kentucky
Trimble County
I WILLIAM SAMUEL Clerk of the County court for the County aforesaid
do certify that this deed from NATHAN CHALFANT & wife to CONNY HUMPHREY
was this day filed in my office and the same together with this and the
foregoing certificate have been duly admitted to record in my office.
Given under my hand this 14th day of August 1849.
W. SAMUEL, C.
view Chalfant Family Tree